Management of Our Resources: Historically, man has relied on nature to meet all of his requirements. Our planet is a storehouse of many valuable things that help us meet our basic needs for survival. The demand for natural resources is growing as the world’s population grows. The bulk of conventional resources are short in supply and cannot be replaced or can only be renewed over a lengthy period of time. As a result, there is greater strain on current resources to meet the demands of all creatures on Earth. On this page let us learn everything about the management of natural resources. Read further to find more.

What is Meant by Management of Resources?

Definition: A controlled system for the use of natural resources in the most effective way without their wastage is called the management of natural resources.

Management of resources is not only essential for the sustainable use of resources but also is an important key to maintain a healthy environment and ecological balance among the biotic and abiotic components.

Need of Management of Resources

There are several reasons why resources need to manage properly for what is called sustainable growth. Sustainable growth refers to the efficient use of natural resources without compromising their availability for future generations. Some of them are as follows:

1. The resources are not perpetual: Resources such as coal, petrol that are used for fuelling our transport system and fulfilling other energy requirements (like electricity) are not perpetual. If we do not use them judiciously, we might end up losing them earlier than expected.
2. Renewable resources need time and proper management to replenish: Some natural resources that are of primary importance can be renewed or replenished. Water, forest, soil, etc., are a few among them. The management of renewable resources will prevent their exploitation and make them available in plenty to fulfil the needs of future generations.
3. Planning of sustainable development: Sustainable development refers to the planned actions and initiatives taken for the use of natural resources without force, closing the options for future generations. It maintains a balance between the use and replenishment or availability of resources. 
4. Preventing damage to the environment: Exploitation of resources leads to the damage of the environment in the long run. The management of resources is required in such a way so that the damages to the environment associated with their usage can be minimised.
5. Equitable distribution of resources: Resources are equally needed by all people for their survival. However, the availability of such resources is not equal across all geographical locations and populations. Proper management of such resources makes it possible to benefit everyone from them.

Sustainable Management of Our Resources

Natural resources are our capital. These should be used for beneficial works in the planned manner. Finishing them indiscriminately is blindsight. Conservation of natural resources is the key to the sustainable management of our resources. The following measures need to be taken for the conservation of our natural resources:

1. Forest Conservation and Management: Forests are an important component of our environment and are dominated by flowering plants, shrubs, climbers, and dense trees. They also provide a vast habitat for wild animals and thus are biodiversity-rich regions. Besides, these forests also contribute to the economic development of our country. Conservation of forests can be brought about by the following activities:
   a. Afforestation (converting barren land into a forest).
   b. Reforestation (recreating a forest on the same land).
   c. Prohibited excess grazing.
2. Management of Soil: Soil is one of the natural resources that serve as a depository of minerals required for the growth and development of living beings. Soil erosion is the destruction of the uppermost fertile layer of the Earth crust that leads to the destruction of minerals present in the soil. To prevent soil erosion and maintain the quality of soil, the following measures need to be taken:
   a. The vegetation cover prevents the exposure of soil to heavy rain and strong winds and checks the soil erosion.
   b. The grazing of animals should be controlled.
   c. Crop rotations improve soil organic matter.
   d. Wind speed can be regulated by planting trees in the form of shelterbelts.
   e. Organic farming, vermicomposting, and cropping patterns also contribute to maintaining a good soil structure and fertility.
3. Management of Water Resources: Water is the basis of all living beings. Even though 71% of our planet is covered with water, only 2% is fit for human use. Hence proper management and conservation of water are necessary. There are the three important principles of water conservation and management:
   a. Maintaining water availability.
   b. Protecting water from getting polluted.
   c. Cleaning the contaminated water and recycling it.
   d. Maintaining groundwater level and preventing its pollution.
   Rainwater harvesting is one of the best methods to conserve water.
4. Management of Energy Resources: Coal and petroleum are the two major sources of energy that are widely used by living entities. Coal is used as the main source for the generation of electricity in thermal power stations. Kerosene and LPG obtained from crude oil refining are used as domestic fuels. Petrol and diesel are derived from crude oil and are used as fuels in automobiles. These resources of energy are exhaustible and can be depleted soon if not used wisely. The following steps need to be taken to reduce the use of coal and petroleum:
   a. Saving electricity, in turn, reduces the burden on natural resources that are used to produce it.
   b. Wind energy should be used to generate electricity for running generators and motors, etc., with the help of windmills.
   c. The use of CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lamps) are the best alternative for filament-type electric bulbs.
   d. Biogas or gobar gas can be used as an alternative source of domestic fuels.
   e. Solar energy devices such as solar cells, solar panels, and solar cookers should be used.
5. E-wastes and their Management: E-wastes are generally called electronic wastes, which include spoiled and non-repairable electronic devices. These wastes contain iron, silicon, copper, aluminium, and gold which can be recovered during recycling, but it also contains a few toxic metals. Nevertheless, only 5% of the total e-waste produced is recycled. Disposal of any kind of electronic device without knowledge can become a landfill and water pollutants. Improper disposal of E-wastes can cause severe health hazards. The steps involved in e-waste management are collecting e-wastes, shredding and sorting, dust extraction, magnetic separation, water separation, purification of wastes, and recycling e-waste.

Fig: An Overview of Sustainable Management of Our Resources

The 3R’s Approach of Waste Management

The unabated use of natural resources and the pollution caused by them results in severe environmental problems. Most of the non-renewable substances are likely to get exhausted if their indiscriminate use continues. Therefore, it is necessary to use natural resources wisely and judiciously. The 3R strategy must be followed to conserve the natural resources and management of our resources and environment. It is followed in the following manner:

1. Reduce: Reduce stands for the minimum consumption of natural resources and practices that lead to their wastage. Following are the examples that should become into daily practices:
   a. Save electricity by switching off unnecessary appliances. This directly reduces the consumption of coal (the exhaustible natural resources).
   b. Water can be saved by using a bucket during bath instead of showers, repairing the leaking taps, keeping the tap closed while brushing, etc.
   c. We should switch off the engines of automobiles at traffic lights to reduce the consumption of fuels and to keep the environment healthy.
   d. The plastic cups, bags, and products cannot be degraded and are hazardous to the environment. The use of plastics can be reduced by using paper bags, cups that can be degraded and therefore are environment friendly.
   e. The use of LPG can be reduced by using solar appliances.
2. Recycle: Recycle means reusing things after their processing. It is a method of collecting used items such as papers, plastics, glass, metals and sending them to the industries for further processing to make them fit to use again.
3. Reuse: Reuse stands for using the thing again and again without further processing in industries. Following are a few examples of reuse in daily life:
   a. Plastic bottles can be reused.
   b. Old clothes can be reused.
   Reuse is better than recycling because it does not involve time, energy, and money. While on the other hand, recycling is a time taking and energy-consuming process.

4. Refuse: The term refuse is to completely avoid the use of non-friendly substances like plastics.
5. Repurpose: It means that the product cannot be used for the original purpose but can be used for secondary purposes. For example, cups with broken handles can be used to grow small plants instead of using them for drinking purposes.

However, reduce, reuse, and recycle are now being considered the three main approaches that are required to save our environment.

Wastewater Treatment – A Method of Recycling

Untreated wastewater (sewage) that is generated from domestic and industrial processes is a prime source of water pollution. The water can be treated or recycled by the following methods:

1. Pre-screening or Physical Treatment or Primary Sewage Treatment: It involves the separation of solid macrobiotic and abiotic matter from wastewater. The process is simply done by pouring wastewater into the big tanks so that the solid matter can settle on the surface of the tank. The wastes that sink at the bottom of this tank is known as primary sludge. The sludge is then transferred from the tank for safe disposal. The wastewater containing organic waste and other impurities is called primary effluent.
2. Secondary Sewage Treatment: The primary effluent is then sent to an aeration tank for the removal of organic matter using aerobic microbes in the form of flocs, i.e. an association of bacterial masses with the fungal filaments to form a mesh-like structure.This process of biological degradation takes place in the presence of air (oxygen), and hence the tanks are called aeration tanks.
3. Bio-solids Handling: The final solid matter that settles down after the secondary treatment process is then directed into the digesters. These solid wastes are heated in digesters and then undergo the process of anaerobic digestion. The methane gas is produced during this process, and the formation of nutrient-rich bio-solids is also experienced.
4. Tertiary Treatment: The steps involved in the tertiary treatment are chlorination of water, ozone treatment, use of UV light to disinfect water, and reducing the level of nitrogen in the water. At this stage, all the impurities from the water are removed.

Water Recycling: The recycled water is then supplied for domestic or industrial purposes.

Fig: Wastewater treatment

Solid Waste Management

Industrial wastes, municipal wastes, e-wastes, etc., are solid wastes. The solid wastes result in landscape pollution when dumped into the soil. Solid wastes involve the following steps:

Sanitary Landfill: Solid wastes are disposed into low lying areas to get stabilised in about 6-12 months. The organic matter further undergoes decomposition.

Segregation: It is the separation of biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes. The organic matter is separated from the other solid wastes.

Composting: Biodegradable solid wastes are converted into humus by the microbial action of worms (earthworms or red wrangler). The humus contributes to the fertility of the soil. In this way, the soil is replenished.

Incineration: Incineration is the burning of non-biodegradable solid wastes (medical wastes) in the furnace at high temperatures.

Summary

The materials that are present in our environment and can be used by living beings are called natural resources. These resources are now being exploited and exhausted due to an exponential increase in the human population. The wise and judicial use of these natural resources is, therefore, necessary to make them available for future use. This can be achieved by the sustainable management of natural resources. Besides this, reduce, recycle, recycle, refuse, and repurpose are the approaches for the sustainable use and management of our resources in order to save our environment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Management of Our Resources

Q.1. What are three ways to conserve resources?
Ans: Reduce, reuse, and recycle are the three ways to conserve resources.

Q.2. What is meant by the management of natural resources?
Ans: The wise and judicious use of natural resources to avoid their wastage is called management of natural resources.

Q.3. Why is the management of natural resources needed?
Ans: Management of natural resources is needed to maintain the ecological balance, save the environment, and prohibit exploitation of natural resources.

Q.4. What are natural resources?
Ans: The materials that are present in nature and support to maintain life are called natural resources such as water, air, soil, fossil fuels, etc.

Q.5. What are the most commonly used resources?
Ans: Air, water, soil, coal, petroleum, iron, biogas, etc., are the most commonly used natural resources.

We hope this detailed article on Management of Our Resources helps you in your preparation. If you get stuck do let us know in the comments section below and we will get back to you at the earliest.